Opposition to the plane continues. The main complaint is about noise and its perceived effects on health and home values in Chittenden County. Data shows the F-35 is louder than the F-16 currently used in Burlington.

Officials from the 158th fighter wing wanted another chance to explain their take.

"That table tries to compare apples to apples, but that doesn't mean that's how we're going to fly it here," said Brig. Gen. Dick Harris of the Vermont Air National Guard.

Harris and other top Guard officials such as Lt. Col. Luke Ahmann, have long said they'll work to mitigate the F-35's sounds. On Thursday, they gave examples.

Ahmann expects the F-35s would takeoff in Burlington without using an afterburner, an extra power boost that's extra loud. He said the F-16s often uses that more-intense power setting, because they carry extra fuel on their wings.

The F-35 has a stronger engine, wouldn't need the boost for takeoff and is designed differently, according to Ahmann. "You have enough gas to do all the training that we need to do around here, so there's no operational requirement to put any external weight on the aircraft. In addition, it's a stealth aircraft, so you would take away some of the capability if you start strapping things onto the outside of the aircraft," he said.

Pilots also anticipate flying the new jet higher in the sky and say they'll consider their noisiness and what's below them when coordinating flights.

"In my view, based on my experience flying fighters, based on what I know about mitigation and based on talking to the F-35 pilots, the impact locally will be similar to what you've seen in the last 25 years of us flying the F-16," said Harris.

Officials pointed out Vermont's had some loud visitors like F-18s in the past but said they didn't receive any criticism when they were around.

Guard members continues to defend the unit's need for the F-35, saying it will keep 1,100 people employed, living and spending in Vermont. They'll help maintain the jets for the federal government.

"The airplanes provide homeland defense as well as can deploy overseas," said Harris.

As for what the fighter jet would do in Burlington, physically on the home turf for Vermonters, officials couldn't give specifics.